ITALY OPEN TO MUTUAL SUPPORT OF INCB CANDIDATES

UNCLAS ROME 000255 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR IO/T HEATHER VON BEHREN, INL/PC CHRISTINE CLINE, EUR/WE ANDREW YOUNG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL AORC UNCND UN IT SUBJECT: ITALY OPEN TO MUTUAL SUPPORT OF INCB CANDIDATES REF: STATE 226622 ¶1. (U) Poloff presented reftel dipnote and CV of Melvyn Levitsky, U.S. candidate for re-election to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB),to Enrico Valvo, head of the MFA Counterterrorism Policy Unit January 25. Highlighting Amb. Levitsky's extensive experience, Poloff stressed that maintaining a U.S. presence on the board is of the highest priority for the United States. Valvo informed Poloff that Italy would be presenting a candidate: Gilberto Gerra, who currently serves on the INCB. He also noted Italy's extensive engagement in counter-narcotics efforts through the UN. ¶2. (U) The Netherlands and Iran have requested Italian support for their nominees, according to Valvo, while Belgium, Germany, and India have indicated that they will present candidates, although they have not asked for support to date. Valvo stated that the GOI would evaluate all candidates in a global context once the field had taken shape. He inquired if the United States might approach Italy with a request for mutual support and noted that the MFA was willing to provide Gerra's CV and any additional information. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Italian candidates for key positions such as High Representative in Bosnia and Vice-Chair of the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions did not secure U.S. support. This has been a sore point in Rome, where the government views election of Italians to international bodies as concrete recognition that their investments abroad have advanced the country's interests, enhanced its prestige, and earned the respect of friends and allies. Agreeing to mutually support each other's INCB candidates may provide some reassurance to a key ally. End comment. SPOGLI